Range of product launch kits and presentation boxes with samples, collateral and branded trays

PACKAGING AUDIT FOR SME BRANDS

A packaging audit reviews your current packaging to identify improvements in protection, presentation, materials, sustainability and production reliability. It helps ensure your packaging is working as effectively as possible for the product, the brand and the way it is produced.

Reviewing Your Current Packaging Properly

Most brands develop packaging once, launch the product and move on without reviewing how well it actually performs. Over time issues can appear, from inefficient construction to inconsistent print or avoidable transit damage. Thinking about a packaging audit? Fill in the form, it only takes a minute, or call us for a quick chat about what you want to improve.

Improved skincare carton packaging for Skin & Tonic, refining structural design and colour consistency so products stand straight and present better on shelf.

How Our Packaging Audit Works

A packaging audit works best when it is carried out by people who understand how packaging performs in the real world, not just how it looks on screen. At Fantastic Mr. Box we review packaging from a practical production perspective, looking at how it is specified, packed, shipped and experienced by the end user.

  • Our audit process is straightforward and focused on what matters

  • Review of your current packaging and specifications

  • Assessment of materials, construction and fitments

  • Evaluation of print quality and consistency

  • Review of packing, shipping and protection

  • Practical recommendations for improvement

  • A packaging audit is a structured review of your current packaging to identify opportunities for improvement. This may include construction, materials, product protection, print quality or packing efficiency.

  • Brands usually request a packaging audit when they want to understand whether their existing packaging could be improved, simplified or made more efficient without starting from scratch.

  • We typically review structural design, board grades, internal fitments, print consistency, packing efficiency and how well the packaging protects the product during shipping.

  • Sometimes, but that is not always the goal. An audit may also improve product protection, packing efficiency, sustainability or the overall presentation of the packaging.

  • Not necessarily. Many audits reveal smaller adjustments that improve performance without requiring a full redesign.

  • We provide practical recommendations based on what we find. If changes are required, we can also develop updated packaging structures and produce samples.

  • This depends on the complexity of the packaging and the number of products involved, but most reviews can be completed relatively quickly once we have the necessary information.

  • Fill in the enquiry form on this page, which only takes a minute, or call us for a quick chat about your packaging and what you would like to improve.

Redesigned ecommerce cake postal packaging for Beeches Bakery, improving protective fitments and packing efficiency to eliminate damaged deliveries.

What Is a Packaging Audit?

A packaging audit is a structured review of your current packaging to identify opportunities for improvement. Rather than redesigning everything, it assesses how the existing packaging performs during production, packing and shipping.

Small changes in materials, suppliers or specifications can gradually introduce inefficiencies that go unnoticed. A packaging audit helps identify these issues, highlight practical improvements and reveal where packaging may be underperforming for the product, the brand or the wider packing process.

  • Structural design and board grades

  • Internal fitments and product protection

  • Print quality and brand consistency

  • Packing and shipping efficiency

  • Materials and sustainability considerations

Upgraded cosmetic packaging for WBC skincare range, improving board quality and achieving strong white branding on kraft cartons using multi-layer white print.

Packaging Audit Checklist

When reviewing packaging we typically assess several areas that influence product protection, presentation and packing efficiency. Looking at these factors together helps reveal where packaging may be over-engineered, inefficient or inconsistent. It also helps identify where relatively small adjustments could improve performance.

  • Is the construction stronger or more complex than necessary?

  • Could the board grade or structure be optimised?

  • Is the product secure during shipping and storage?

  • Are breakages or movement occurring in transit?

  • Are colours consistent with brand guidelines?

  • Does the packaging communicate the right level of quality?

  • Are materials recyclable and appropriate for the job?

  • Could plastics or foam be replaced with card fitments?

Luxury advent calendar crackers designed for M&S, developed through packaging range review to create a new festive format suitable for retail display.

Common Problems Found During Packaging Audits

Packaging audits often reveal issues that develop gradually as products, suppliers or logistics evolve. These problems are rarely obvious during day-to-day operations but can affect packing efficiency, product protection or overall presentation. Identifying them early usually allows them to be corrected with relatively small adjustments.

  • Over-engineered packaging increasing cost and waste

  • Inconsistent print colours across production runs

  • Inserts or fitments that slow packing time

  • Transit damage caused by poor internal protection

  • Oversized cartons increasing shipping costs

  • Packaging that no longer reflects the intended brand quality

Want us to review your packaging? Fill in the enquiry form. It takes about a minute, or call us for a quick chat.

Rachel Davies, Production Manager: “Our cakes were arriving damaged and the packing process was slow because we were constantly adapting fitments for different products. Fantastic Mr. Box redesigned the packaging to improve protection and created a fitment system that made packing much quicker. Damage issues disappeared and the whole process became far more efficient.”

Explore Our Packaging Solutions

  • Premium rigid base and lid gift box, soft-touch finish, Apple-style unboxing, by Fantastic Mr Box

    Rigid Box Base and Lid

    Premium base and lid traditional packaging design for that ‘Apple Packaging’ feel. for high-end and secure product presentation.

  • Influencer PR box with magnetic closure and custom insert, designed for reveal shot moments by Fantastic Mr Box

    Influencer Packaging

    Designed to create unforgettable unboxing experiences with eye-catching aesthetics, innovative presentation, to maximise brand impact and social media engagement.

  • Rigid kraft presentation box for whisky miniatures with plastic-free insert, retail ready by Fantastic Mr Box

    Spirits Miniatures Packaging

    A rigid and eco-friendly spirits packaging solution with a kraft finish, integrated handle, and cut-out windows for a natural yet premium presentation of spirits miniatures.

  • Heavy-duty postal mailer with tear-off strip and printed interior, bright pink accents by Fantastic Mr Box

    Postal Packaging

    Heavy-duty postal packaging with a tear-off strip for extra security, designed to keep damages to a minimum, for secure and hassle-free shipping.

  • Seasonal retail gift box with ribbon fitment and metallic foil, reusable display piece by Fantastic Mr Box

    Seasonal Packaging

    Designed for seasonal occasions with high quality print, materials, and finishes, ensuring a memorable and engaging unboxing experience for any time of the year.

  • CaddyPack festival carrier for spirits cans, water-resistant board, shoulder carry by Fantastic Mr Box

    CaddyPack

    A durable and portable packaging solution, featuring a sturdy integrated handle, and secure bottle fitment, making it ideal for retail, gifting, and festivals.

  • SKUBox modular retail display pack for spirits, quick-swap sleeves for variants by Fantastic Mr Box

    SKUBox

    Our smart SKUBox solution featuring a sleek window design that showcases your bottle, allowing the product to differentiate between SKUs.

  • PopBox - Rapid assembly with built-in insert retail packaging by Fantastic Mr Box

    PopBox

    PopBox’s innovative design simplifies assembly, allowing packers to quickly and efficiently package products whilst offering more shelf presence for smaller products.

  • The Dogs Box, premium ecommerce spirits pack with hinged reveal and shaped bottle cut-outs by Fantastic Mr Box Packaging Experts

    The Dogs Box

    Our leading ecommerce, postal packaging solution for spirits, featuring a sturdy structure, internal fitments, and an exceptional unboxing experience.

  • LotusBox Retail Premium Packaging Unique Opening Experience

    LotusBox

    When you’re looking for something a little different. Works great small for skincare and cosmetics products. Or go large for spirits, also great for PR, and events.

  • KitchenBox Sustainable Retail Packaging

    KitchenBox

    A versatile packaging solution featuring a rigid yet collapsible design that can be supplied flat, adaptable presentation for a wide range of products.

  • JAWBOX Premium Spirits PR Packaging

    JawBox

    If you really want something unique, then have a look at our JawBox! Velvet or satin lined fitment inside with magnetic snap shut closing.

  • SnugBoxPremium Sustainable Spirits Ecommerce Packaging

    SnugBox

    Our premium spirits ecommerce packaging solution that is super secure, protective and sturdy. This is supplied flat and features a tear off strip.

  • A black box containing five miniature bottles of whisky, each with a different colored label and sealed with a white cap, placed on a wooden surface with barrels in the background.

    Gift-O-Box

    A cost-effective packaging solution designed for both presentation and e-commerce, with secure fitment, and a simple unboxing experience for any miniature spirits.

  • Christmas cracker style advent calendar packaging designed for Marks and Spencer

    Christmas Cracker Advent

    Seasonal advent packaging designed for Marks & Spencer, using Christmas cracker structures to create a playful daily reveal and festive retail display.

  • Gingerbread house advent calendar packaging designed for Marks and Spencer

    Gingerbread House Advent

    Seasonal advent calendar packaging designed for Marks & Spencer, using a gingerbread house format with numbered windows for a festive retail display.

Mark Ellison, Operations Director: “We were shipping large mirrored cabinets and experiencing too many breakages. Fantastic Mr. Box reviewed the packaging and redesigned the internal protection using corrugated board instead of polystyrene. They also improved the pack handling and overall structure, which meant the products were handled more reliably in transit. The result was a much stronger pack and a dramatic reduction in damaged products.”